In 1961, Minnesota gained its first professional sports team when the Washington Senators moved to Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington and became the Minnesota Twins. The team enjoyed relatively quick success, winning the American League pennant in 1965 behind the hitting of Tony Oliva and Harmon Killebrew, and the pitching of Mudcat Grant and Jim Kaat. The Twins lost the World Series that year to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The team didn't make another trip to the World Series until 1987, when they became Word Series champions…a feat the Twins repeated in 1991.
By 1987, the Twins moved into the Metrodome in Minneapolis. The team's move to that domed stadium was controversial, as would be its move to Target Field in 2010. Both projects were preceded by years of debate and controversy over whether public investments in stadiums were worthwhile.
Nine Twins players have have had their numbers retired: Harmon Killebrew (3), Tony Oliva (6), Joe Mauer (7) Kent Hrbek (14), Bert Blyleven (28), Rod Carew (29), Kirby Puckett (34), and Jim Katt (36).
April 6, 1993 - Howard Sinker, local sports commentator, gives his take on Minnesota Twins chances as the 1993 MLB Opening Day commences.
April 27, 1993 - A month into the 1993 Major League Baseball season, the Twins are suffering a poor bull pen performance, resulting in a run of game losses. MPR’s Robin Gehl breaks down what has…and what hasn’t been working for the team.
May 4, 1993 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker comments on the very bad month at start of the Minnesota Twins 1993 MLB season.
July 5, 1993 - At halfway point of 1993 MLB season, local sports commentator sees the Minnesota Twins season going nowhere…except last place.
July 14, 1993 - MPR’s Dan Olson talks with former Minnesota Twin and Major League pitcher Jim Kaat, who shares his thoughts on Kirby Puckett’s play and how the Twins team still could come around in the second half of season to compete for pennant, despite being eight games back at MLB All-Star break.
July 26, 1993 - MPR’s Robin Gehl comments on the upswing of the Minnesota Twins coming out of the Major League Baseball All-Star break. Segment includes an interview with Twin designated hitter Dave Winfield.
August 23, 1993 - MPR’s Robin Gehl gives an appraisal of the Minnesota Twins disappointing season. Gehl also shares interviews with Brian Harper, who has had an excellent individual performance in 1993; and Kirby Puckett, who is enjoying his move from center field to right field position.
September 23, 1993 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Ray Crump, former Twins equipment manager, about his book Beneath the Grandstands. It contains a collection of baseball stories of Crump's life growing up as a bat boy for the Washington Senators and then moving to Minnesota to become the Minnesota Twins first equipment manager.
November 2, 1993 - Local sports commentator Howard Sinker comments on Minnesota Twin’s loss of catcher Brian Harper to free agency, finances, and future of team.
February 4, 1994 - Local sports commentator talks about the possible options for Carl Pohlad in a sale of the Minnesota Twins baseball organization.